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Despite swollen leg, Niese to make next start

4/23/13: Jon Niese gets hit in his right leg with a comebacker off Mark Ellis' bat in the third inning and exits the game due to injury

By Anthony DiComo and Paul Casella
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MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- One day after X-rays taken of his lower right leg came back negative, left-hander Jon Niese had some swelling and tightness in the area but fully expects to make his next start.

Niese, struck in the leg by a Mark Ellis comebacker on Tuesday night, plans to push back his post-start cardio workouts by a day and may also push back his bullpen session one day as well. Either way, he plans to take the mound on Sunday afternoon against the Phillies at Citi Field.

"I certainly didn't want him to go out with a sore lower leg, then all of a sudden mess up his shoulder or something," manager Terry Collins. "So if he needs an extra day, that's no big deal."

Given Niese's initial reaction -- hopping into foul territory before sitting on the ground for several moments without even attempting to stand -- things certainly could have turned out worse.

Including Tuesday's abbreviated start, Niese is 2-1 with a 3.81 ERA through five outings.